The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 386

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

guilty. If these statements condemn me, I shall not regret that I made
them. I make them voluntarily, and desire that they may be used only
against myself, without prejudicing the cause of others.
THE PRESIDENT. Then do you want the Court to understand that
you plead guilty to the charges.
THE PRISONER. I wish the Court to understand the statements I have
made, and if they sustain the charges I have no doubt that the Court
will adjudge me guilty. I not I hope to be released [sic].
THE PRES. Do you wish to introduce any witnesses in your defense.
PRISONER. I do not. I see no use in introducing any testimony in my
own behalf, as it would be impossible to obtain the evidence of any
witness better acquainted with the facts than myself, and they are as
I have stated to the Court.
He was found guilty and sentenced to be hung. Arriving at
the place of execution he confessed his guilt and exhorted the
people to continue their work to break up the "Order," which
had so ignominiously terminated his existence.
He viewed calmly the preparations for his execution. And when
the last awful moment arrived he jumped heavily from the car-
riage; and falling near three feet, dislocated his neck, he died
without the violent contraction of a single muscle.
[TRIAL OF] M. D. HARPER
THE PEOPLE CONSP.
vs. M. D. HARPER & INS.
After hearing the charges read, and being asked the usual ques-
tions, he answered, "Not guilty."
Henry Childs Sworn.
[WITNESS.] I was initiated into this secret organization by the ac-
cused, M. D. Harper. He told me what the designs of the Order were,
what it proposed to accomplish & what it ultimately hoped to attain-
the overthrow of the Confederacy, and the establishment of the Old
Union and Constitution.
W. W. Johnson Sworn.
[WITNESS.] I belong to a secret society. My first information of the
order was received from Enoch Welch, who told me I could get into
the Society by applying to the prisoner, M. D. Harper. I visited Mr.

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